It's the beginning of a new year, which means our new year's resolutions are in full swing! 2022 is the year of self-care, and we all deserve some extra TLC after the past two years. So we have to ask, did you extend your resolutions to your hair?
Whether you want to grow out your hair, embrace your natural texture or switch to low-tox products, how you treat your hair has a bigger impact on you than you think. From ditching products with hidden nasties to religiously using your heat protector, there are countless ways we can commit to taking care of your hair this year.
To set 2022 off to a great hair year, the Little Birdie Hair Co team has compiled our top 10 hair resolutions to follow this year. Read on to learn how our five hair resolutions will keep your locks shining and vibrant all year long!
1. Switch to Natural Products
As Australia's Best Eco Salon, how couldn't we start the list by switching to natural hair care products? We couldn't be happier to see the demand for natural, clean and sustainable products on the rise. After all, what's not to love? The planet, our hair and our health all benefit when we stop to consciously think about what's hiding in the products we use.
When you opt for clean products (like Evo, Sparrow or Eleven, which we use in our salons), you get to avoid harmful chemicals that will save your strands. With clean and natural-based products, you can kiss goodbye to sulphates, phthalates, parabens and ammonia, to name just a few! Phthalates and parabens, in particular, are linked to potential health concerns, so switching to clean hair care can help you reduce your exposure to the nasties we ought to be avoiding long-term.
This product switch-up is not only incredible for our health and hair, but also the environment, with fewer toxic chemicals, washed down the drain. To go a step further in protecting the planet, next time you're scouring the Internet for eco-friendly hair care, look for hair care products that use recyclable or biodegradable packaging. With each purchase, you can sleep a little sounder knowing your products will be gentler on the planet.
2. Wash Your Hair Less Often and Turn Down The Heat
You may be surprised to learn that it's actually much healthier for your hair to shampoo it less often. We know this is difficult in hot and humid Queensland, but we promise that your hair will thank you for making this resolution. The LBHco specialists suggest washing your hair between two to three times a week, and if you have greasier roots, opt for a detoxifying shampoo to double shampoo with.
"A deep cleanse shampoo will be your best friend! You should always do two shampoos, so doing a deep cleansing shampoo first and then a volume shampoo second should help make your hair feel extra clean". - Paige Little Birdie Hair Co Salon Manager.
Double shampooing with a sulphate free shampoo will remove the first layer of grease and extend the length of time you'll need to go between shampoos. Whether your hair needs things depends entirely on your hair type and lifestyle. If you are a dry hair type, you can skip this step unless you frequently use styling products that can buildup your hair (think hair mouses, salt sprays and hairsprays) or live in urbanised areas with higher pollution.
What’s the right temperature to wash our hair?
Science suggests lukewarm water is the best, as it adequately removes grease while effectively cleansing while managing to skip the irritation of hot water on your scalp and strands. Besides hair health, hot water also affects the longevity of your colour. If you've got vibrant hair, think copper or pastels, you already know how fast, hot water fades your colour!
Who doesn't love hot showers? We may do, but sadly, our hair doesn't. When we overuse hot water on our hair, it causes stress and encourages brittle and dry hair that is prone to frizz. Very hot water can also contribute to hair loss since the high temperatures weaken the hair shaft.
3. Wear More Hats
We all know to slip, slap, slop, and protect our skin from the harsh Australian sun, and the same goes for our hair. Unknowing to most, prolonged days in the sun can allow UVA and UVB rays to damage the outside cover of the hair strand known as the cuticle. Excessive sun exposure also leads to discolouration and dry, brittle strands, increased split ends, thinning, frizziness and if you dye your hair, faded colour!
Blondes that want to maintain a cool tone especially should be wearing a hat since Summer in Queensland is your archnemesis in this instance. When you commit to wearing a hat, you can expect silkier, healthier hair with a prolonged colour! So get shopping for your next hat. The plus side is your skin will also benefit from the additional shade!
4. Invest In Deep Conditioning Products
If you regularly use heat or colour your locks, you need a deep conditioner. If you don't already have one, now is the time to add a deep conditioner to your 2022 self-care regimen. You're probably wondering what's the difference between the normal conditioner I have sitting in my shower versus a deep conditioning mask.
Regular conditioners (whilst still a necessity for healthy hair) also minimise frizz and smooth our hair cuticles. But a deep conditioner goes the extra mile by restoring your hair's natural oils. With regular hair washing, we strip our natural oils which can dry our hair out. If you pair this with colour treatments and heat tool use, you can see how easily your hair can become dry.
With a deep conditioning hair mask, you can minimise split ends and hair breakage and improve your hair's overall shine, texture, and elasticity.
"Sparrow's repair mask is an incredible deep conditioner! We can also customise your mask by adding your choice of scents, so you get a customised experience at home as well. Tria Salon Manager
5. Eat Foods That Nourish Your Hair
We've all heard it before; it's what's on the inside that counts. This not only goes for your character but also your hair. If you want to transform your hair in 2022, adding healthy, nutrient-rich foods to your diet will help you achieve the healthy, luxurious hair of your dreams.
A quick hair 101 is that hair is made of protein, so it's vital to incorporate protein and iron-rich foods into your diet. Some of LHCo's favourite hair-loving foods include nuts, oils, sweet potatoes, legumes and leafy greens. Vitamin D is also essential for hair growth, so getting 10 minutes of sunshine a day or consuming fortified products or supplements are all fantastic sources that will promote hair growth.
There's a whole host of foods that are great for our hair, but we'll keep our recipes for a future post, so make sure you sign up to our newsletter!
6. Schedule Regular Salon Appointments
Scheduling regular salon appointments is the ultimate self-care resolution you can commit to in 2022. Attending your salon appointment unwinding with a cup of coffee or glass of organic wine at LBHco is a form of therapy; there's no doubt about it! We even offer silent appointments, where you can sit back and relax during your appointment because sometimes we all need some quiet time to unwind.
Besides maintaining your colour and cut, investing in services like your hair can help reduce your stress and boost your confidence. If you haven't yet visited our salons just yet, why not give your hair a fresh start? Now is the perfect time to have a makeover, whether that be an entire transformation or a trim or deep conditioning treatment.
How regular is regular? The LBHco team recommends booking a hair appointment every 6-8 weeks for a trim to remove any dry and split ends. Even if your hair goal is to grow your hair out, regular trims will help prevent breakage at the ends of your hair, which is fighting against your hair growth.
How Little Birdie Hair Co Can Help You Achieve Your 2022 Hair Goals
Those were our top five hair resolutions, and we want to hear yours, so drop a comment below! We hope our hair resolutions have helped guide or inspire you to commit to a hair resolution this year.
If Little Birdie Hair Co can help you achieve your hair goal, reach out to us on 0487 871 107 for a quote. You can also book online via our website or link in our Instagram! Each appointment is a part of the self-care ritual we can't wait to be a part of!